Animals and Alternatives in Testing: History, Science, and Ethics

Joanne Zurlo, Deborah Rudacille, and Alan M. Goldberg

Appendix E: Great Britain Animal Welfare Timeline

Jeremy Bentham, utilitarian philosopher, writes of animals. "the question is not, can they reason, nor can they talk, but can they suffer?"

1822

Martin's Act, the first law against cruelty to animals, passed in Britain. The original legislation does not include cats, dogs, or birds.

1824

Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals founded in Britain. In 1835, Princess Victoria extends her patronage and the society becomes the R(Royal)SPCA.

1875

Frances Powers Cobbe presents the first antivivisection bill in history to the British House of Lords and founds the Victoria Street Society. Scientist's Bill is presented in the House of Commons. A Royal Commission is formed to study the issue.

1876

The Cruelty to Animals Act is passed. The bill is moderately restrictionist in approach and sets up a system of licensing and certification.

1926

University of London Animal Welfare Society founded.

1938

Name changed to University Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW).

1947

UFAW produces the first Handbook on the Care and Management of Laboratory Animals.

1959

The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique written by Russell and Burch is published.

1961

Lawson-Tait Trust founded to promote methods of medical research not requiring animals. The trust awards grants only to researchers who do not hold a license under the 1876 Cruelty to Animals Act.

1969

FRAME founded in London to promote the use of alternatives where available and to support increased funding for research aimed at developing alternative methods.

1970

Dr. Hadwen Trust set up by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection. Grant recipients may hold licenses under the 1876 Act but must not use living animals in their work.

1973

Lord Dowding Fund established by the National Antivivisection Society to dispense research grants to individuals not holding licenses under the Cruelty to Animals Act for research projects not involving the use of live animals for experimental purposes, for projects likely to lead to the alleviation of human or animal suffering.

1974

Humane Research Fund gives grants to license holders if the object of the work is to reduce the number of animals used.